“Yesterday’s” Comic> Star Trek: Early Voyages #14

Pike’s tired of being left out of the “best Enterprise Captain” debate.

Star Trek: Early Voyages #14

Marvel/Paramount Comics (March, 1998)

“Futures”

WRITERS: Ian Edginton & Dan Abnett

PENCILER: Patrick Zircher

INKER: Steve Moncuse

COLORIST: Marie Javins

LETTERING: Janice Chiang

EDITOR: Bobbie Chase

Pike and Kirk don’t get along very well, as evidenced when Pike refuses to let Kirk explain, Kirk breaks out the insults, and Pike punches Kirk right there on the bridge. Finally, Mia’s arrival on the bridge gets Pike’s attention and he’s willing to listen. As Kirk updates him, Scotty gets a tour of the Enterprise engines and Mia is tested by now Doctor Carlotti. She, Spock, and Savvik learn that she only has a few days left before the new timeline rejects her and she dies, but everyone agrees to restore the proper timeline and head to Algol Two anyway. This draws the attention of the Excelsior, now captained by Pike’s former Number One (who is joined by Nano) but also Chiang, who has his own beef with Captain Pike.

What they got right: “Number One” gets her own command, Nano joins her, and we also see Chekov. I wonder if that means Chekov will have to square off with his normal reality’s friends? Of course they would use the Excelsior since it has a tie to the Enterprise history in the movie time period (although Chekov served on the Reliant in the second film so that would have been a nice nod as well depending on when this timeline connects to the main one). While it is a bit of fanservice it’s kind of expected since alternate timelines are in a sense fanservice to begin with.

What they got wrong: There’s one obviously repeated panel representing Mia’s shock and response but considering the rest of the comic it stands out and looks more lazy than reactionary. Also, Joe’s been on one date with her, which ended with her being sucked through a window in time. I know he was attracted to her but given how little time they’ve spent together it’s hard to believe he has the deep love he claims. The story acts like Joe and Mia were a longer couple than they were.

Recommendation: So far the story has been, to quote a certain Vulcan, fascinating. Next time is the conclusion and if the end works as well as the rest of the story it’s worth picking up.